Research

Quality Matters - TACT shown as example of good practice:
TACT Children's Champions group was chosen as an example of good practice by Quality Matters and RIP. TACT Children's Champions group meets bi-monthly to discuss and move forward the participation agenda of the charity. The last group meeting was filmed which contains interviews of young people and members of staff. The value of young people's contributions to the meeting shows the importance of listening to young people and the unique experiences they bring to developing new services. The Quality Matters (QM) programme of research was commissioned by the Government to examine the impact of the Quality Protects initiative on the quality of services for children in need, including children and young people looked after by local authorities. TACT also participated in bringing the programme of research in an overview report that is of key relevance to policy makers, commissioners, service providers and practitioners. The overview report was published on 30 April 2009. At the launch conference on 8 May, TACT's film of the Children's Champion meeting was shown and a range of dissemination and implementation materials. TACT Executive Director of Children's Services - UK, Hugh Pelham explained how the research can be used at operational level at he conference - watch his presentation. For further information, contact Hugh, h.pelham@tactcare.org.uk / 020 8695 8132.

Hard to Reach Foster Carers toolkit:
The 'Hard to Reach' Foster Carers Project was carried out in association with the Fostering Network and the Children's Workforce Development Council. The ultimate aim of the project is to have a positive impact on outcomes for children and young people. The Learning together; learning from each other practical toolkit comprises a report of the 'Hard to Reach' Foster Carers Project, a DVD and a CD-Rom. The toolkit has been designed for Supervising Social Workers engage with foster carers who are reluctant or resistant to the notion of professional development. Martin Clarke, TACT Learning & Development Manager gave a presentation as he had been involved in the project. He was accompanied by one of TACT young person, Sam. They both gave a 20mins presentation on how the toolkit might be of benefit for fostering agencies and in particular might be of ultimate benefit to the children in our care. For further information, contact Martin, m.clarke@tactcare.org.uk / 01536 411 410.

TACT is Big Lottery funded! TACT and the University of East Anglia (UEA), welcome new Big Lottery Fund Research Programme grant for a study of looked after children and offending. The grant will support an 18-month research project ‘Looked after children and offending: identifying risk and protective factors’. Read the full press release (PDF, 2 pages, 72KB).